Bioethics Rooted in Justice: Community-Expert Reflections.

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Social Justice
• Public Health

Background:

• Bioethics research has historically centered dominant perspectives, potentially perpetuating systemic inequities.
• Anti-Black racism and state violence disproportionately harm marginalized communities, necessitating critical examination of existing frameworks.
• Abolitionist theory offers a framework for dismantling oppressive systems and reimagining social structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the integration of abolitionist perspectives and practices into the field of bioethics.
• To highlight the importance of centering the experiences of Black health activists and community organizers in bioethics research.
• To identify how bioethics can move beyond upholding White supremacy and colonialism.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research based on in-depth interviews with three prominent Black abolitionist community organizers, activists, and health care workers.
• Analysis of interview data to identify key themes related to abolitionism, anti-Black racism, and bioethics.
• Drawing lessons from the lived experiences and theoretical frameworks of the interviewees.

Main Results:

• The integration of abolitionist perspectives is essential for expanding bioethics and addressing its limitations.
• Centering the voices and experiences of Black health activists and community organizers is vital for dismantling White supremacy and colonialism within bioethics.
• Ignoring these perspectives leads to the perpetuation of harm and neglect of diverse ways of being.

Conclusions:

• Bioethics must actively incorporate abolitionist principles to become more equitable and just.
• Failure to center marginalized voices risks reinforcing existing power structures and causing further harm.
• Transforming bioethics requires a commitment to understanding and addressing the root causes of health inequities.